I recently got back from an awesome long summer camping trip with my husband, three children and a bunch of other families. The days were filled with lots of beach time, slow breakfasts, long chats, coffees, reading, arvo naps, card games, walking and bike rides. We've been having these summer camping stints ever since our children were tiny and they still love coming. These days the kids can drive themselves into town for ice creams and make us G&Ts... As I sat on the beach one morning I was thinking about how special it is that the kids have grown up with these holidays and started writing this as an idea for a children's book.
Summer is camping
At Mystery Bay
Three families in total
The drive takes all day
My swag feels so cozy
Under the stars
Mia sets up beside me
We chatter and laugh
Day 2 it was raining
It poured and it poured
Games under the tarp
So we didn’t get bored
Dave took us snorkelling
We climbed down to the cove
Rain punctured the surface
Two sting rays came close
While we were sleeping
The skies quietly cleared
The morning was sparkling
And everyone cheered
Breakfast was pancakes
Three for us each
Then we slathered on sunscreen
And ran to the the beach
While we were swimming
We ducked under the waves
Mum carried Archie
And he tried to be brave
I tried out surfing
On Dad’s big foam board
I yelled out to Mia
As I glided to shore
When we go camping
Things aren’t always easy
There’s mossies and sunburn
Cold showers are freezing
The rain is annoying
The long drops can smell
But there’s music and campfires
And stories to tell
Summer is camping
It’s cards and beach cricket
The TV’s forgotten
I don’t even miss it
Back home I'm yearning
For the stars from my bed
But the sound of the ocean
Still rests in my head